MIAMI FASHION WEEK 2013 GAINS INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanIf you are eager to jet off to exotic destinations in any part of the world such as Peru, Bolivia, Africa, Jamaica, Spain or Italy, imagine being in all of these countries at the very same time.
For the past three days, fashion buyers and media and celebrities and lovers of luxurious style have been treated to an event of elegance known as Miami Fashion Week and Miami Bridal Week. With an international flair, this has undoubtedly been a special way to celebrate fashion at its finest. It has all been taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center in the heart of South Beach.
Opening night brought us the exclusive debut of world-acclaimed Brazilian designer, Carlos Miele’s 2013 Fall/Winter Collection. He also received the International Designer of the Year Award. His looks are chic and resplendent and through his use of texture, he brings glamour beyond compare to the runway.
In addition to Miele, we saw a stunning showcase of fashions featuring Julian Chang, Art of Shade by Kayce Armstrong, Fabrizio de Castro, Nicolas Felizola, Viviana G. for Petit Pois and Rosa Clara. Spanning the globe from Peru to Ecuador to Venzuela to Spain and back here to the United States, guests were treated to a spectacle of majestic fashions ranging from swimwear to eveningwear to menswear.
Opening night drew in celebrities such as singer and actress Paulina Rubio, The cast of the Real Housewives of Miami, Latin Grammy winning singer Luis Fonsi, People en Español’s fashion and beauty director Kika Rocha, former Miss Universe Lupita Jones, Michelle Salas, actress Ana Obregon, actor Omar Germenes, soccer star Jorge Bernal, Univision host Rodner Figueroa, and actress Geraldine Bazan.
The second evening brought ultimate surprises for all. The Daywear Collection spotlighted LOLA Kids of Columbia, Denim Down Jeans from the USA, Alta Tensione from Italy and I Love Fashion Collection by Michel Adam, Fashion TV’s President and Founder. LOLA Kids was full of sparkle, ruffles and pizzazz for the little ones. Wide-eyed kids strutted their stuff on the runway posing for the crowd. Denim Down Jeans makes a trip to the beach a whole new experience with fabulous fashions to wear over the bikini.
Alta Tensione makes neutrals take on a new light as they come alive with frills, beads and bangles. The next show took us to Africa where patterns, prints, gold and glitter all made their debut. Featured were Wumi-O, Aso Damisi, Crown Natures, T.A.P. Designs, Finicky Couture and Mike Sylla for Baifall Dream.
Thursday evening came to an end in a magnificent manner. The stars and the moon aligned as eveningwear graced the runway from Raafia Husain for Raafia SAH/Pakistan-UK, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi for SEEN/UAE, Carlos Vigil Couture of Peru, Heather Jones Designs from the West Indies and Fadila Kihel for Mirage Bridal Couture of Algeria. It was an expansive way to broaden our style horizons.
We were ready for Friday festivities to kick off the weekend of style. Our expectations were surpassed with a swimwear showcase dazzling with loads of glitter, tantalizing textures, diamonds and lace, sheer suggestive styles and an electricity in the air that powered the entire evening. The swimwear showcase featured Shaquoya Jackson/USA, Tantrik Swimwear Collection/Jamaica, Sambarela/Brazil and a finale by Heather Jones Bridal Couture of the West Indies.
Pret-a-Porter Showcase featured Dolcevita Cashmere/Italy, Dusko Orascanin/Bosnia & Herzegovina, Heidy Estrada/Bolivia, Claudia Anicy Manuguian/Chile and Mujeres de Bolivia by Paulo Silva who was the recipient of the Mision Moda Award.
A totally enjoyable evening came to a close with the Duchesa Bridal Couture by Robin Fleming of the USA and Itala Testino Atelier of Peru. Every bride will be the star of her wedding in one of these lovely creations. Enchantment is all in the eyes of the beholder.
There is more to this exciting event than meets the eye. Miami Fashion Week gives emerging talent the opportunity to shine. International Design winners include Charbel El Khoury/Charbel Zoe of Lebanon as Emerging Womenswear Designer winner, Hagai Greffen of Israel/USA as Jewelry Designer winner. Student scholarship winners were fashion student, Melanie Diaz of IDAT in the United States, graphic artist, Tara Caldwell of Algonquin College in Canada and photography student, Carlos Fernandes of Curtin University in Australia. All exhibit magical talent with future advancement imminent.
Between shows, attendees browsed the multitude of designer pop-up boutiques that only enhanced all that the event had to offer. From jewelry to handbags to sequined shoes and from patterned jackets to teeny bikinis, we saw it all. Brands from across the world were equally represented in style and splendor.
The bride and groom could spend countless hours planning the wedding of a lifetime. Settings in a romantic and lavish atmosphere exhibited all that our exceptional couple have to eagerly look forward to. There was representation on hand from Bloomingdale’s to decor companies to exotic destinations with areas of information, to florists, photographers, cake and pastry chefs and much more. Every evening a grand prize giveaway was awarded to a lucky bride which was part of a luxury honeymoon package.
Rimmel of London was one of the sponsors and had a section devoted to beauty enthusiasts to answer questions and provide free gifts of eye makeup, lipstick, makeup remover and bronzer.
A culinary cafe’ gave guests an avenue to socialize while enjoying sumptuous courses of miniature lobster cannelloni, coconut and cream cheese flan with guava sauce, tasty Mediterranean delicacies and all kinds of interesting items. Each night featured a different celebrity chef. All proceeds went to benefit the Miami Fashion Week Foundation.
Marking its 15th year, Miami Fashion Week continues to amaze with some of the most artistic talent in the industry by far. It continues to draw over 650 members of the international press including Bravo, Yahoo! and The New York Times. It was filmed by five reality TV shows in 2012.
This is the global star-studded rainbow of fashion that dreams are made of and recognizes Miami as the gateway to the international world.
PHOTO CREDITS: Fashion Show images are taken by Miami Fashion Week photographers.
Comments are closed.